Moral imperialism means imposing moral values of a culture through force or cultural critisism onto another culture
with different values. The cultural values and norms imposed are seen superior by the imposers
and often backed up by like-minded theory. The term is strongly connected with the consept of cultural relativism.[1]
The line between meaningful and sensitive cross-cultural critisism and harmful
interference is seen as a thin one. But not interfering in practises such as genocidal
regimes and female genital mutilation can be seen even more immoral. It is argued that
in order to be acceptable, cultural critisism should be sensitive and try to understand
the narratives of other cultures as much as possible. At the same time the critics should express the
willingness to critigue their own culture. Cultural critisism should avoid using force and seek
for the least-intrusive methods possible. [2]
Post-Colonial theory
Definition of imperialism
"Imperialism is an ideologial consept which upholds the legitimacy of the economic and military control
of one nation by another". In the most resent centuries imperialism took place by several Western nations from the
18th through the middle 20th centuries.[3]
Post-colonialism
Post-colonial theory aims to analyze what social, cultural and economical consequenses rose from the colonial
era and how they affect nations now. It also deals with conflicts of identity and cultural belonging. Moral imperialism
connects strongly to the post-colonialistic discourse as it can be seen as a consequense of the age of imperialism and
colonialism.[4]
Moral Imperialism in the context of Corporate Social Responsibility
Corruption and bribery
Moral imperialism itself fits the definition of a corrupt act; the powerful benefiting from it's position by
imposing it's values to a weaker party.[5] This may be done in many ways but for example different corruption measurements such as Transparency Internationals Corruption Perception Index has received critique
for not taking into account cultural differences and so forcing western values to a wide range of cultures through
the impact of the index.[6]
In the context of multilateral anti-corruption legistlation and agreements, such as OECD Anti-Bribery Convention
and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the dangers of moral imperialism should be carefully considered.
With the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for example the consern is that the US is "unilaterally and forcibly
imposing American values about bribery on cultures that have very different customs regarding gift giving". On
the other hand it is widely noted that criminalizing foreign corruption acts is nessesary to tackle corruption in the global
market.[7]
Allthough considerable research points towards coruption acts such as bribery being damaging to economic efficiency,
governmental legitimacy and social benefit, corruption and steps to preventing corruption should not be generalized
in a way that benefits the strong and offends the weak.[8]
In a global trading system people across culture borders are affected by the corruption of other cultures and dangers rising
from it. It is argued that moral imperialism should not be used as a excuse to stand back from thorough analysis of corruption
and action against it.[9]
^ Banerjee, P, de Maria, B (2008): Neo‐colonialism through measurement: a critique of the corruption perception index.
Critical perspectives on international business, Vol. 4 Iss 2/3 pp. 184 - 202
Definition
Moral imperialism means imposing moral values of a culture through force or cultural critisism onto another culture
with different values. The cultural values and norms imposed are seen superior by the imposers
Table of Contents
cultural relativism.[1]
The line between meaningful and sensitive cross-cultural critisism and harmful
interference is seen as a thin one. But not interfering in practises such as genocidal
regimes and female genital mutilation can be seen even more immoral. It is argued that
in order to be acceptable, cultural critisism should be sensitive and try to understand
the narratives of other cultures as much as possible. At the same time the critics should express the
willingness to critigue their own culture. Cultural critisism should avoid using force and seek
for the least-intrusive methods possible. [2]
Post-Colonial theory
Definition of imperialism
"Imperialism is an ideologial consept which upholds the legitimacy of the economic and military control
of one nation by another". In the most resent centuries imperialism took place by several Western nations from the
18th through the middle 20th centuries.[3]
Post-colonialism
Post-colonial theory aims to analyze what social, cultural and economical consequenses rose from the colonial
era and how they affect nations now. It also deals with conflicts of identity and cultural belonging. Moral imperialism
connects strongly to the post-colonialistic discourse as it can be seen as a consequense of the age of imperialism and
colonialism.[4]
Moral Imperialism in the context of Corporate Social Responsibility
Corruption and bribery
Moral imperialism itself fits the definition of a corrupt act; the powerful benefiting from it's position by
imposing it's values to a weaker party.[5] This may be done in many ways but for example different
corruption measurements such as Transparency Internationals Corruption Perception Index has received critique
for not taking into account cultural differences and so forcing western values to a wide range of cultures through
the impact of the index.[6]
In the context of multilateral anti-corruption legistlation and agreements, such as OECD Anti-Bribery Convention
and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the dangers of moral imperialism should be carefully considered.
With the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for example the consern is that the US is "unilaterally and forcibly
imposing American values about bribery on cultures that have very different customs regarding gift giving". On
the other hand it is widely noted that criminalizing foreign corruption acts is nessesary to tackle corruption in the global
market.[7]
Allthough considerable research points towards coruption acts such as bribery being damaging to economic efficiency,
governmental legitimacy and social benefit, corruption and steps to preventing corruption should not be generalized
in a way that benefits the strong and offends the weak.[8]
In a global trading system people across culture borders are affected by the corruption of other cultures and dangers rising
from it. It is argued that moral imperialism should not be used as a excuse to stand back from thorough analysis of corruption
and action against it.[9]
Critical perspectives on international business, Vol. 4 Iss 2/3 pp. 184 - 202
//Asian-Pacific Law & Policy Journal//, Vol. 1, Issue 2 (June 2000), pp. 1-47